Creative Loafing completely misses the mark in Alyssa Abkowitz’s story about the mounting debt in the generation I’m a part of. I cannot describe how disappointed and pissed off I was when I read this story.
The article lost about 20 points right of the bat for using the phrase “Generation Me.” I had to shake my head and give that one another look, because I could’ve sworn someone had stolen my Creative Loafing and replaced it with a newspaper for old, disgruntled Republicans.
Then, the article profiles three people - the first of whom happens to be a fratty-looking white boy with a fauxhawk, who doesn’t care that he’ll be six-figures in debt when he finishes law school, because he absolutely must have name-brand clothing (and date auctions, for Christ sake).
Immediately after the introduction of this jackass, Abkowitz writes:
Phillips and his contemporaries will enter the adult world with the kind of economic baggage no previous generation has ever faced. They are part of what has become known as “Generation Me.” They’ve grown up with a sense of entitlement that’s set them up for failure as adults. And they’ve been indulged with a “gotta have it now” consumer appetite that’s translated into an unprecedented amount of debt before they’re even out of school.
Whoa!! Alarms going off in my head! Did Abkowitz even remotely consider a race or class analysis? Or is lumping all 20-somethings in with this one guy acceptable research by Creative Loafing’s standards?
The next two people profiled in the article approximate something much closer to the reality of most middle to lower class college students these days. But the casual reader will be a lot less likely to give them a fair shake, since the article started off with Whitey McPrivilege. The real issues are hinted at - for example, in the quote from Clark Howard about college being so much more expensive now, and fleeting remarks such as “the traditional safety net has been pulled out from under them” - but Abkowitz never scratches the surface.
This article was highly offensive to me, as someone who is a member of this so-called “Generation Me.” You’re goddamned right, I have a mountain of debt (but less than I would’ve had if I’d stayed at NYU, that’s for damn sure). But guess what, my debt isn’t from buying Polo shirts and going out drinking. I worked my ass off the entire time I was in college and grad school. I took out student loans to cover tuition and related expenses. I worked shit jobs trying to make enough money to pay rent. One summer, I took a job at a bookstore that paid exactly minimum wage, and when I asked the manager if I could work more hours, he took me aside and said that maybe this wasn’t the job for me. See, I was actually trying to support myself, whereas my co-workers included a perky 19-year-old talking about the Lasik surgery she was getting later that year and the teeth whitening she’d just had done, oh and she was going to need to take a few weeks off in July because she and some friends were backpacking through Europe.
How about getting a clue, Alyssa Abkowitz? Things are not the same as they were 30 years ago (as you should know, since you’re a member of “Generation Me” yourself). The problems with debt in the younger generation can’t be completely explained by rampant materialism. Maybe in a segment of the middle/upper class population, sure; but you’re treading on dangerous ground if you think that represents the experience of all young people. (Blackamazon wrote about this a few months ago, too.) This sense of “entitlement” you talk about? Sorry, not seeing it in myself or my friends; unless it was a sense of entitlement that made me take out credit card advances at exorbitant interest rates so that my phone or power wouldn’t get turned off.
You could’ve used this article to address the real issues: the fact that cost of living has increased while salaries have stagnated or decreased; the fact that education costs have ballooned while federal loan money has been repeatedly slashed and federal grant money is now practically nonexistant; the fact that credit card companies descend on college freshmen like vultures the instant they walk on campus; stricter bankruptcy laws, unless you happen to be in the upper echelon, in which case the laws are more lax. To counter that miserable Jean Twenge book, you could’ve cracked open Strapped by Tamara Draut (or if you’re too lazy to do that, here’s a handy chart of the main facts and figures in the book).You could’ve at least cut out Mr. Fauxhawk altogether and focused on the experiences of Juandalyn Coffen and Clayton English, who seem to actually have a foot in reality.
I don’t know what’s happened to Creative Loafing. Seems like lately they’re just interested in perpetuating myths like “Generation Me” with a bunch of vacuous soundbites and putting “man bites dog” stories on the cover.
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55 Responses to "Generation (Bite) Me"
I’ve been meaning to write a post about how much I hate the editorial turn their covers have taken lately. I don’t know how I’ll top this now. Good stuff.
I thought the Me Generation was already taken.
How with statements such as “… while federal loan money has been repeatedly slashed and federal grant money is practically nonexistant… ” and your support for universal healthcare do you claim to not have a sense of entitlement? It is not our government’s responsibility to educate us or keep us healthy. We must do that for ourselves. Also, are you looking for a pat on the back for getting a job and paying your bills? That’s what everyone has to do that wants to get by… well… except those that feel entitled to everything.
Dave:
How much clearer do I need to make it? Your comments are not welcome here. Please do not comment any more on my blog.
Lawyer Mike is a tool.
You know, I think it would be legitimate to include Whitey McPrivilege (which, if I ever have a son, might just have to become a legal name). I know plenty of people who spend far beyond their means and run their credit cards to the limit on toys. That’s a legitimate criticism. What it has to do with any particular generation, I would question, but…
It’s also pretty clear that if you’re leading with something that obnoxious, you’re determined to paint a biased picture. So…whatever.
Honestly, I wouldn’t mind being classified as “Generation Me” because, yes, I have made conscious decisions about my life. Many of those decisions have put me further in debt than necessary. And yes, I’ve had much more of a focus on “me” than either of my parents had on themselves when they were my age.
I went to a small, private liberal arts school. That meant tens of thousands of dollars in student loans that could have been spared if I had gone to a public Georgia school. After graduating, I went to work at a small nonprofit. I could be out of debt by now if I had taken a job at a multinational corporation instead.
But then, my highest priorities are not and never have been making the most money I could. My priorities have been doing what I feel is best in my life and, for me, that means service. I could take my skills and easily make twice as much money elsewhere, but I feel like my work has a real impact on people’s lives.
I’m not in debt because of purchases I’ve made. I’m in debt because of lifestyle choices I’ve made.
Heh. Are you sure about that? ‘Cause I did go to a public Georgia university (after 3 semesters at a private out-of-state university, that is), and I did take a job at a multinational coporation (not directly out of college, but eventually). Am I out of debt? Ha! Don’t make me laugh!
Well…if my highest priority was making money, my loans would be gone. My big sis blazed a pretty clear path - Tech, co-oping and selling your soul to a huge corporation. Five years out of college you can be making six figures.
If your primary goal is making money, it can be done.
But, m’dear, your primary goal hasn’t been to make money either. :-)
You know, I think that pointing out that grant money is decreasing is valid, and is not “entitlement.” It’s pointing out that generations past did not have to go into debt the degree that ours has done in order to obtain an education.
But my belief that education and health care are important has nothing to do with entitlement - it has to do with the fact that I believe that to provide good public education is to invest in the continuing health of our democracy. Providing good public health care is just the right thing to do. I believe it is morally - and I do very much mean that - abhorrent to not provide those things. Period. It’s wrong. It’s not about what *I* deserve, it’s about what anyone as a human being deserves.
Well, probably not. But then, I don’t know what my primary goal is or how I would isolate that from anything else.
I mean, I guess you could say my primary goal is to be happy. But see, for me, part of that means having enough money that I don’t have to constantly worry about which bill I’m going to have to not pay this month, or when the collection agencies will call next.
And what’s ridiculous about the CL article, and why I think it can’t all be explained away by either purchasing choices or lifestyle choices, is because to many outside observers (including myself 3 years ago!) I make a really good salary. I should be, if not living large, at least not still living paycheck to paycheck. ‘Cause each of my paychecks is big enough that it should stretch further, right?
So, why is that not the case? (She asked, rhetorically.)
Also, I’m uncomfortable with the phrase “selling your soul to a huge corporation,” but that’s another story for another time.
Shouldn’t our generation be more accurately described as “Generation Meh”?
I guess I can see where you’re coming from (not wanting to be lumped into the same category as Mr. Fauxhawk). I, too, had to take out the loans, work shitty jobs, etc. However, I still think our lifestyle “standards” have a lot to do with the amount of debt that we carry. Yes, I have student loans that I’m still paying off, but I also opt to live in Midtown vs. OTP. I treat myself to something nice every once and a while, and sometimes I scrimp and save. It’s all kind of give and take. But I got a fair interest rate for my loan, a fair amount of grants and scholarships, and I make an average salary for my education and experience. I’m pretty average at the amount of debt I carry, too.
But this?
You chide the writer for not including all sides of the story, but you’d rather focus on only the students that prove your point? Showing all sides of the story (including those who live unrealistically) help prove the point that credit card companies prey on students who don’t know any better.
Dylan,
I remember reading somewhere it was described as “Generation Snark.”
mingaling,
I like how you were all cordial in your comment here when you left this at Dave’s blog.
You fucking coward.
In any case, the point about education and health care is beyond the point of me-ism. The numerous positive externalities associated with education is itself a strong indication of the selflessness it takes to pursue an education. It’s far easier to become disconnected and refuse an education — and become a beneficiary (a freeloader, as some say) of other people’s educations.
There are strong economic arguments for a government-based health care system, in addition to the moral arguments. Thanks in part to privatized health insurance, the U.S. health care system swallows a greater portion of our GDP than any other developed nation — that means we pay more per capita for the health care we receive than anyone else in the world. I don’t believe it to be unfair to ask for more productivity and efficiency (doing more with less) in our system. The nature of health care economics dictates that this cannot be done at a profit.
We try to reduce the cost through private health insurance plans — these plans ensure that risks are shared among beneficiaries. When risk is shared among more people, their cost burden is lightened. In a nationalized system, the risk is shared among everybody.
Aww, that’s cute, Rusty. I guess I was trying to state my point and not be banned before making it. Oh wait, did you even read my point? See the association? Eh, nevermind. Apparently your m.o. is to resort to mindless insults instead of actually commenting on the fact that she contradicts herself.
And although Dave and I don’t share a brain and opinions like you and Amber (although I’ve been known to call Dave brainless at times - sorry Dave, but you know it’s true), I’m glad to see you living up to the rabid leftist bandwagon that makes us more moderate liberals shake our heads. A good topic, but poorly excuted yet again.
“Rabid leftist bandwagon,” that’s nice.
I didn’t know that someone’s propensity to call people cowards when they partake in cowardly behavior correlates directly to their political views.
Maybe you and Dave do share a brain.
Yawn… go ahead and keep circling as it seems to amuse you. Apparently you don’t need a comment form after all.
By the way, there’s a Frontline documentary that illustrates why it’s not really a good idea to expect a whole population to become a bunch of financial experts.
Okay, I get the point about the fauxhawk boy, but I’d also argue that your generation - along with the generations before it and generations after it - are lazy when it comes to educating themselves about MONEY.
Must read: Rick Dad, Poor Dad.
What do the folks in the article have in common? Lots of whining, not much accountability.
My mantra: “If you have a problem and you don’t do anything to fix it, you forfeit your right to bitch”.
Yes, a “problem” with blogs and this here internets is we don’t always hear what we want to…but it’s a risk recognized, assessed and assumed.
Type-o. Rich Dad, Poor Dad. With linkage, even!
(Wo)man, I told ya’ll I come here for the comments! Boy-Howdy!
I thought this example of poor execution just deserved to be quoted.
I think the wisest thing my mom ever taught me was to consider the source.
Critiques from someone who feels the need to defend this kind of assholery:
and someone who thinks that this:
constitutes an interesting post are really valuable. I definitely respect that opinion. (Count your blessings dear readers, I spared you the riveting and highly original post on “Fat Day.” And mingaling thinks that something is yawn-worthy here.)
I suppose, in her defense, she might be a little sleep deprived.
Poor dog. I’d puke too if I had to live with that.
By the way, Ping!
What’s with all the defensive commenting here?
Oh… I almost forgot… it’s the Internet :)
I know… sometimes I forget, too. That is, until my hand starts a-twitchin’ for ye olde ice pick, with which to take myself down a few notches via a well-placed insertion in yon forehead.
At which time I realize I should take a card from Belledame and think about pudding. Mmmm, pudding….
“I did take a job at a multinational coporation (not directly out of college, but eventually). Am I out of debt?”
I don’t know, are you? If not, perhaps you are in the same category as the article you mention. Not to that extreme, of course, but most people who still have any debt choose to live outside of their means.
“Most people who still have debt?” And what would you know about that? How is it that you speak for “most people?” You know, in my experience, most people who like to draw unsubtantiated generalizations like that are swathed in privilege. Fuck you, buddy.
How much do you make at your job? I guarantee that you make more than me having an MS and more years of work experience.
Your financial situation is due to the choices that you make — just like the financial choices those folks in the article made.
You are correct that I should not have generalized by saying “most people”. I should have said “Amber Rhea”. Because you have years of blog entries that prove your poor financial decisions.
In the meantime, enjoy your iPod and MacBook and other fancy toys.
Titus is mad because he asked Amber out and she turned him down.
Years of blog entries that prove my poor financial decisions? Ha! I didn’t know you were my financial advisor! Please, wise one, point me to these elusive blog entries that reveal my folly, and instruct me on what I should’ve done!
And seriously, if you’re going to try to riff on my tech gadgets, at least get it right. I don’t have a MacBook. I have a 3-year-old iBook and a 2-year-old “refurbished” iPod.
Rusty, it’s true! I have the e-mail framed to my wall and cry every night about it. Sometimes I look at her through her window late at night. I watch her sleeping to the beautiful glow of her iBook.
I thought it was a MacBook, but I was wrong. The MacBook was in my dreams! It is the laptop I would get her to show her my undying love and affection.
But no, she will not take me. It is you she desires. And so, for another night, I shall once again cry myself to sleep, in the darkness — alone.
I read this blog entry and at the end of it all I could think about is that this entry and the comments following it just proved the point of a “me” generation. It sort of makes me sad.
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